Body Worlds is an exhibition of
plastinated human bodies, which has been on display in
London during 2002. Its developer and promoter is
Gunther von Hagens, who performed a public dissection of a body in
London on 20th November, 2002, apparently for educational purposes. This was the first public dissection in the
United Kingdom for over 170 years. Von Hagens' view is that his work is educational, and that presenting bodies for show helps to overcome some concerns about the body, and the nature of death, but there are many in the United Kingdom who hold counter views. It appears that with his public dissection von Hagens committed a criminal act, but the authorities did not prevent his action, and have so far (24th November, 2002) not taken legal action against him.
Official website: http://www.bodyworlds.com/ (in English and German)